Mark Udall | U.S. Senator for Colorado

Celebrating Cinco de Mayo

Today, as we gather in our communities to celebrate Cinco de Mayo, let's not forget the historical significance of May 5, 1862, when Mexican forces courageously stood their ground against France's attempts to establish its rule in the Americas during the Battle of Puebla.

WHAT I'M WORKING ON: Fixing Sequestration’s Impact on Travelers, Businesses and Commerce

Strengthening Our Families and Communities

When I came out in support of marriage equality in August 2011, I joined a small core of 18 senators who publicly stood for progress on that issue. Like many Americans, there was a point when I struggled with accepting the idea of marriage for gay and lesbian couples; I thought perhaps civil unions would be a workable compromise. But over my years in Congress, I have met more and more Coloradans who understand what this issue really boils down to: It is about love and commitment, about basic dignity and about being able to protect your families.

WHAT I'M WORKING ON: Managing Healthy Forests While Creating Jobs

Thanks for Joining My Renewable Energy Twitter Q&A

Thank you to everyone who participated in my renewable energy Twitter Q&A hosted by ACORE. How we develop renewable energy sources alongside traditional fuels, like natural gas and coal with carbon capture and sequestration, is one of the most important issues our country faces today. I was proud to discuss with you yesterday how a balanced strategy creates jobs, protects our clean air and water and strengthens our national security.

Udall, Bipartisan Group of Senators Urge Interior Department to Release Mineral Royalties to Western States

Mark Udall, who serves on the U.S. Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, joined a bipartisan group of Western senators to ask the administration to restore mineral leasing revenues to Colorado communities that depend on those funds to run local governments, schools and community services. The automatic budget cuts, commonly called "sequestration," have forced the U.S. Department of the Interior to cut more than $109 million in mineral royalties to states, including $8.4 million for Colorado, this year. Senator Michael Bennet (D-Colo.) also signed the bipartisan letter.

Just-Filed Protests Could Delay U.S. Forest Service's Acquisition of Next-Generation Tankers Until After 2013 Wildfire Season

Following news that a private air tanker company has protested the U.S. Forest Service's recent contract awards for up to seven next-generation tankers, Mark Udall called on the federal government to override the protests because Colorado lives and homes are at stake. Udall, who serves on the U.S. Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee and has fought to acquire these new air tankers, said this latest round of protests would delay the U.S. Forest Service's acquisition of these crucial air tankers until after the 2013 wildfire season.

Udall Urges Youth to Connect with Colorado's National Parks, Welcomes Passage of Kids to Parks Day Resolution

Mark Udall, who chairs the U.S. Senate National Parks Subcommittee, urged Colorado youth to visit the Centennial State's parks and connect with what writer Wallace Stegner called "America's best idea." Udall, the nephew of former Interior Secretary Stewart Udall, also welcomed the U.S. Senate's passage this week of his resolution marking the third annual Kids to Parks Day — part of an initiative he launched in 2011 with the National Park Trust to inspire active lifestyles and encourage younger generations to enjoy and protect our nation's special places.

Udall Introduces Proposal to Address Childhood Obesity, Strengthen National Military Readiness

Mark Udall, who serves on the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee, introduced bipartisan legislation today aimed at tackling one of Colorado and the nation's fastest-growing problems: childhood obesity. Udall, who has worked to encourage healthy lifestyles and outdoor recreation, developed the legislation with Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) in consultation with the Campaign to End Obesity and Mission: Readiness, a nonpartisan organization of senior retired military leaders calling for smart investments in America's children.

Udall Reintroduces Bipartisan Plan to Boost Job Creation, Free Up Capital for Small Businesses

In an effort to jumpstart job creation in communities across Colorado and help small businesses expand, Mark Udall reintroduced the Small Business Lending Enhancement Act today. The bipartisan legislation, which Udall has championed since joining the U.S. Senate, would increase the amount of business loans that well-capitalized credit unions with proven management are allowed to issue.

Udall Advocates for Balance on Unmanned Aerial Systems Use, Privacy Concerns

Mark Udall, who serves on the U.S. Senate Select Committee on Intelligence and the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee, delivered remarks at the RTI International policy forum in Washington, D.C., about Unmanned Aerial Systems (UASs), the potential of the UAS industry, privacy concerns surrounding the use of UASs and how our legal framework can accommodate their development.

Udall Urges Senate to Level the Playing Field for Main Street Businesses, Colorado Retailers

Mark Udall urged his colleagues to pass the bipartisan Marketplace Fairness Act, a common-sense bill to level the playing field for Main Street businesses and Colorado's brick-and-mortar retailers. The proposal would end the competitive advantage online-only retailers have over local businesses by authorizing states to require that out-of-state retailers collect local sales taxes that are already owed under current law. The legislation would ensure that Colorado Main Street retailers are not penalized for creating jobs in Colorado.

Udall Presses Energy Secretary Nominee on Support for NREL and Climate Change Initiatives

Mark Udall, who serves on the U.S. Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, pressed Dr. Ernest Moniz, a professor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and President Obama's nominee for Secretary of Energy, on his vision for the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) in Golden, which has developed innovations in renewable energy technologies and generated over 5,500 jobs in Colorado. Udall also addressed climate change as a priority for the U.S. Department of Energy.

ABC 7 Discusses Udall's Brown Canyon National Monument Proposal

On March 28, ABC 7 discussed Udall's Brown Canyon National Monument proposal. Public meetings will be held on the proposal on April 13 and May 18, 2013.

Mark Udall Discusses the Future of "America's Best Idea" at National Parks Conference

On March 19, 2013, Mark Udall delivered a speech on funding America's national parks in the face of budget constraints. Udall, the chairman of the U.S. Senate National Parks Subcommittee, also discussed the need to preserve the heritage and condition of the nation's expansive parks system for future generations to protect and experience.